Tire building drum

ABSTRACT

A tire-building machine is a structural combination of two relatively independent sections. Each section comprises a support housing, a rotatable shaft cantilevered from the housing and a cylindrical drum mounted at the free end of the shaft for rotation therewith. With the axes of the shafts aligned, the drums thereon are connectable at their outer axial ends to form a divisible tire-building drum of predetermined axial length or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;set.&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; An annular ply turnup bladder is mounted for rotation with each shaft adjacent the inner axial end of each drum. Also, an annular bead ring carrier is mounted on each housing to reciprocate coaxially of each shaft. The set of the divisible drum can be adjusted by replacing one or both of the constituent drums with other drums of different lengths.

United States Patent Henley et al.

1 1 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] TIRE BUILDING DRUM [72] Inventors: Virgil E. Henley, Akron; Walter W. Lauer,

[21] Appl.No.: 9,711

[52] US. Cl... ..l56/40l, 156/403, 156/415, 156/416 [51] Int. Cl. ..B29h 17/16, B29h 17/22 [58] Field ofSearch ..l 56/l32,133,l34, 135,394, 156/398, 400, 401, 403, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,971,562 2/1961 Hollis ..156/132 X 3,171,769 3/1965 Henley et al 156/132 Primary Examiner-Samuel W. Engle Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Attorney-Frank C. Rote, Jr. and Harry F. Pepper, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A tire-building machine is a structural combination of two relatively independent sections. Each section comprises a support housing, a rotatable shaft cantilevered from the housing and a cylindrical drum mounted at the free end of the shaft for rotation therewith. With the axes of the shafts aligned, the drums thereon are connectable at their outer axial ends to form a divisible tire-building drum of predetermined axial length or set. An annular ply tumup bladder is mounted for rotation with each shaft adjacent the inner axial end of each drum. Also, an annular bead ring carrier is mounted on each 10 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEUFEB29 I972 'SHEET 1 OF 9 m m M RGIL E. HENLEY WALTER w. LAUER, JR 7V4 7 ATTORNEY PATENTEDFEBZS I972 3,645,826

SHEET 2 OF 9 INVENTORS IRGIL E. HENLEY BY WALTER W. LAUER. JR

ATTORNEY PATENTEDFEBZSIHYZ 3,645,826

SHEET 3 OF 9 INVENTORS VIRGIL E. HENLEY mQLTER W. LAUER. JR.

ATTORNEY PAIENTEUFEB29 I972 3, 645,826

sum 5 [1F 9 m J; v

Q/ m 3A2 1 N r\ F1 M Q U F INVENTORS M VIRGIL E. HENLEY WALTER W, LAUER, JR. we BY ATTORNEY PATENTEUFEB29 m2 I 3,645,826

sum 9 OF 9 INVENTORS VIRGIL E. HENLEY IgX KALTER W LAUER. JR.

ATTORNEY TIRE BUILDING DRUM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to tire building equipment and particularly to tire-building machines used in the step-by-step assemblyof pneumatic tires prior to final shaping and vulcanizing in a mold. 7

It was not long ago that most tire-building machines were simply rotatable building drums or forms upon which tires were assembled almost entirely by hand. Many of todays tire building machines, however, are more complex structures comprising several interacting, structurally associated mechanisms. While a rotatable building drum or form is still the principal component of such machines, additional mechanisms are now associated with the drum which perform certain building steps formerly done by hand.

Many passenger tires in use today are assembled on these more modern machines. Usually, a rotatable building drum with a substantially cylindrical, radially expansible surface is used to assemble the various components of the tire. Normally, the placing of the components on the drum is done while the drum is in the deflated state. The carcass plies placed on the drum form an annular band which extends over the drum shoulders. Axially movable, bead ring carriers are provided which move toward the drum to set bead rings at the respective drum shoulders. The edges of the plies or band overlapping the shoulders are then turned over the beads.

A detailed embodiment of one of the more popular versions of the machines described is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,171,769 assigned to the present assignee. In this type of machine, annular carriers are spaced from the building drum on each side thereof to hold bead rings. The carcass of the tire is built on a rotatable drum which is provided at each end with an annular inflatable bag or bladder upon which the overlapping edges of the carcass plies will rest. The uninflated diameter of the bags is less than the expanded diameter of the drum and approximately equal to the diameter of the unexpanded drum. After the carcass is applied, the drum is expanded and the annular bead ring carriers move axially inwardly to contact the shoulders of the expanded building drum. The bead ring carriers retract, leaving the bead rings at the drum shoulders. The bladders are inflated to lift the ply band edges resting thereon upwardly and axially inwardly. The annular bead ring carriers return from their retracted portions to engage the inflated bladders forcing the bags to turn the edges of the plies over onto the building drum surface thereby encapsulating the bead rings. The bags are deflated and the bead carriers are returned. Thebead areas of the tires are then stitched and the remainder of the tire components are then applied. After the tire is assembled, the expanded cylindrical surface of the drum retracts, and the tire is removed.

While these modern machines have resulted in faster and more efficient tire building, some difficulties are encountered during utilization of such machines. For instance, tire removal from the drum is not easy, although the drum surface is retracted prior to removal. In most of these machines, a single cantilevered shaft supports the building drum and the pair of inflatable turn up bladders. The operator thus has access to one end of the shaft from which he may slide the tire off the drum. This initially requires strenuous pushes and pulls to start the tire off the drum. Also, the typical singular support shaft setup has caused problems. For example, the added weight of the additional mechanisms, plus other forces on the shaft caused by stitching, setting of the beads and turnover of the plies, have sometimes resulted in bent and broken drum shafts.

Most building drums of these machines are adapted for axial adjustment to allow variation of the length or set of the drum for different sized tires. This adjustability feature is usually effected by dividing the outer cylindrical surface of the type are provided with spacers and gap shields between sections. A good example of an adjustable drum with a specific gap shield is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,601, also as signed to the present assignee. Deployment of such spacers or gap shields on the outer surface of the drum cannot help but affect the uniformity of the surface. In other words, because of gap shields, drum surfaces can become irregular.

The expansion and retraction of the drum, the reciprocation of the bead carriers and the inflation and deflation of the turn up bladders are usually effected by a pneumatic actuating system. It is, therefore, necessary that actuating fluid be I routedthrough selected pipes and valves within and around the 'drum. In the present typically designed machines, much of the fluid used is routed through the main shaft thereby requiring shafts of greater diameter than is necessary to simply rotatably support the drum. Because of the various interac tions of the several mechanisms, special support problems, as well as special valve control, are necessary so that actuations of several mechanisms are simultaneous.

All of the above factors, particularly those concerned with drum support, become important in attempting to design a modem machine to handle smaller tires. Many small or industrial-type tires used on boat trailers, wheelbarrows, etc., have smaller bead diameters than do passenger tires. Thus, the drums used in building such tires are considerably smaller than those used in building an average passenger tire. Drums for passenger tires, for example, may be from 13 to 15 inches in diameter while industrial tire-building drums can be as small as 4 inches in diameter. Therefore, the shafts must be small, further enhancing chances of bent or broken shafts for the reasons discussed previously. Thus, a smaller overall machine design can present special problems in terms of a pneumatic or hydraulic system used to activate the several movable mechanisms of the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tire-building machine the design of which is adapted for use in building smaller industrial-type tires as well as the somewhat larger tires, such as passenger or light truck tires.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tire-building machine from which a completed tire is easily removed.

It is still another object to provide a tire-building machine which requires no spacers or gap shields on its outer surface, but is, nevertheless, adjustable as to set.

It is still another object to provide an improved tire-building machine, the design of which provides for a more uniform distribution of weight and other forces with respect to its frame or support.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tire-building machine in which the tire building drum is actually a composite of two drums each of which is independently supported on a separate shaft.

Briefly, the tire-building machine according to the present invention is designed in two independent sections. Each section includes a support housing, a shaft, a bead carrier, an inflatable bladder or bag type turn up and a radially expansible drum forming a divisible part of the tire building drum. Each section is provided with an independent pneumatic system to actuate its constituent components. The outermost axial ends of the expansible drums are adapted for attachment to each other to form a tire building drum of a predetermined length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation of a tire-building machine according to the present invention with certain parts omitted, shown in outline and broken away.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 also with certain parts omitted, shown in outline and broken away.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the left hand portion of the machine taken along lines 33 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the right hand portion of the machine taken along lines 4--4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional viewtaken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an end view of part of the left-hand portion of the machine taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 3 with parts broken away and omitted.

FIG. 7 is a partial top sectional view of the right hand portion of the machine taken along lines 77 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged section along lines 8--8 in FIG. 1 showing details of the divisible tire building drum according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the tire-building drum separated.

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged sectional view of a modified version of the divisible tire-building drum of the present invention where the length of the drum has been increased by replacing one of the constituent drums as shown in FIG. 8 with another drum of increased length.

FIGS. 11 through 19 show an operational sequence performed at an end of the drum which includes setting of the beads at the drum shoulder, turn up of the carcass plies over the beads and retraction and separation of the left-hand portion of the divisibletire-building drum.

DESCRIPTION A. General FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate, generally, the structural arrangement of the major components of a preferred embodiment of a machine according to the present invention. The machine comprises a right-hand pedestal or support 2 spaced from a similar left-hand pedestal 4. Pedestals 2 and 4 support a righthand machine housing 6 and a left-hand machine housing 8, respectively. The left-hand machine housing 8 is adapted to longitudinally reciprocate relative to its pedestal 4 while the right-hand housing 6 is stationary relative to pedestal 2. The means for reciprocating housing 8 will be described in more detail hereinafter. It is not considered particularly critical which of housings 6 or 8 reciprocates. It is only important that some provision ismade for moving one housing toward and away from the other. In other words, right hand housing 6 may be movable while housing 8 is stationary. Also, if desired, both housings 6 and 8 may be actually movable, as long as a relative movement is possible.

Extending horizontally from the adjacent ends of housings 6 and 8 is a pair of axially aligned, rotatable, cantilevered shafts generally designated 10 and 12, respectively. Details of these shafts l0 and 12. as well as their means for support within their respective housings will be more fully described hereinafter. A pair of annular, movable, bead n'ng carriages 20 and 22 are mounted on housings 6 and 8, respectively, each secured to a pair of horizontal guide rods 14 extending therefrom. The annular bead ring carriages 20 and 22 are disposed coaxially of shafts l0 and 12, respectively, and are adapted to axially reciprocate relative to said shafts through movement of guide rods 14. More details of these carriers and their respective supporting means will also be explained later in this description.

A frame 1 is located between pedestals 2 and 4 which supports a stitcher assembly generally designated 3. The particular stitcher assembly shown forms no part of the instant invention and can be of any desired type. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the stitcher assembly 3 may comprise a stitcher wheel 5 for applying periodic pressure to the tire as it is built to mutually adhere its components. It is understood, however, that the general positioning and design of stitcher assembly 3 may be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The phantom outlined cylinders in FIGS. 1 and 2 represent the prospective operating disposition of the three component assembly where building of a pneumatic tire takes place. The central cylinder represents a tire-building drum 30, while the cylindrical extension at each axial end of drum represents identical right and left-hand annular, ply turn ups 32 and 34,

respectively. Tire building drum 30 is shown in dot-dash outline in FIGS. 1 and 2 for purposes of clarity, with the details to be explained hereinafter. Also, the pair of annular turn ups 32 and 34 are shown in dot-dash outline for temporary clarity, and are explained in more detail later. While not specifically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be stated here that the drum 30 is a structural composite of two cylindrical drums, one being mounted at the free end of shaft 10 to rotate therewith,

with the other mounted at the free end of shaft 12. Right and lefthand turn ups 32 and 34 are mounted for rotation with shafts l0 and 12, respectively.

B. Structural Details For more complete details of the machine as generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference is now directed to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Much of the structure associated with one machine housing is duplicated in the other. Therefore, several duplicated structures throughout the several views, whether associated with right hand housing 6 or left-hand housing 8, carry identical reference numerals in order to present a more clear description. For example, the aforementioned guide rods 14 carrying right and left hand bead carriages 20 and 22 are substantially identical in both housings and therefore are each referenced similarly. The key components associated with each housing, however, are distinctively referenced such as right and left hand shafts, drums, turn ups, carriers-etc.

As stated above, the left hand housing 8 is longitudinally movable with respect to pedestal 4. Structure effecting this movement is seen particularly in FIGS. 3 and 5. A pair of longitudinally extending rails 40 are attached to the upper side of pedestal 4 adjacent the sides thereof by means of suitable bolts 41. Between the rails is a pneumatic cylinder 50 with one end secured to a frontal vertical extension 51 of pedestal 4. A piston (not shown) with a threaded rod 52 is adapted to reciprocate within pneumatic cylinder 50. The threaded piston rod 52 registers through a bracket member 45 secured to the underside of housing 8. Nuts 53 fix piston rod 52 securely to bracket member 45. Along the underside of housing 8, suitable bolts 43 secure a series of cap 42 and pad 44 slide combinations to engage each rail 40, as shown. Thus, reciprocation of piston rod 52 effects longitudinal movement of the entire left hand housing 8 relative to its support 4. Air under pressure from a suitable source may be introduced into cylinder under control of a solenoid valve (not shown).

The right-hand and left-hand shafts indicated generally as 10 and 12 are shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 7 as actually concentric dual or double shaft combinations. Right hand shaft 10 comprises a hollow, outer, main or machine shaft member 16 and a hollow, inner, drum shaft 11 as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 7. FIGS. 3 and 5 show left hand shaft 10 comprising outer main shaft 18 and inner drum shaft 13. These dual shafts are rotatably mounted in suitable sets of main bearings 9 in the front and rear of housings 6 and 8. The inner shafts l l and 13 are mounted within outer shafts l6 and 18, respectively, by conventional means, such as annular, locking bushings (not shown) between the inner surface of the main shaft and the outer surface of the drum shaft. The dual shafts are hollow to provide separate air passages therethrough. In other words, both right and left-hand shaft combinations provide an outer annular air passage 15 between the main shaft and drum shaft and an inner cylindrical air passage 17 within the drum shaft for each dual shaft combination. The aforementioned annular lock bushings can be provided with openings to allow flow of air through air passage 15.

A pair of axially slidable guide rods 14 are mounted in each of housings 6 and 8. Each rod 14 is supported by a pair of sleeve bearings 25, one of which is disposed in the front end portion of each housing and the other held by a bracket 27 welded or otherwise secured to each sidewall of each housing. The guide rods 14 are made to move or slide within bearings 25 in each housing by means of a pneumatic cylinder 60 containing a reciprocating piston (not shown). The piston rod 61 is attached to the upper portion of a bracket 55. The bracket 55 has two downwardly extending legs 54 each welded to a cylindrical sleeve 56 fixed to each rod 14 by a pin 57 or other suitable means. Cylinder 60 is supported on a pair of plates 63 welded or otherwise secured to an adjustable horizontal plate 65. Plate 65 is provided at one end with a vertical bracket 66 welded or otherwise secured thereto. Bracket 66 is connected to housing 8 by means of an adjustment screw 70. Thus, it is seen that guide rods 14 are adapted to move relative to both housing 8 and adjustable plate 65. Plate 65 and attached bracket 66 are supported within each housing by horizontally extending cap and pad slide combinations, generally indicated 67, which are substantially similar to those used in association with rails 40. The sides 68 of each plate 65 are slidably received by each pair of cap and pad slide combinations 67 in each housing. The slide cap and slide pad combinations are fixed to the rear wall of each housing by a suitable bracket 69. Thus, by turning screw 70 plate 65, as well as the cylinder 60, bracket 55 and guide rods 14 can be adjusted relative to its housing 6 or 8.

In a typical tire building sequence, annular carriages 20 and 22 serve a dual purpose. First, the carriages properly position two inextensible bead ring assemblies for a tire on the tire building drum. Secondly, after turn up of the plies over the bead assemblies begins, the annular carriages push each inflated turn up bladder over onto the surface of the drum. These operations require that the annular carriages move axially of the building drum on two separate occasions. In other words, each annular carriage 20 and 22 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 will first move axially away from their respective housings toward the drum 30 to set the bead ring assemblies. The carriages then return to allow expansion of each turn up 32 and 34. The carriages move axially toward the drum once again to contact the inflated turn up bladders.

It is preferred that each of the separate movements of the annular carriages 20 and 22 are simultaneous and controlled with respect to length. Specifically, it has been found that the distance a carriage such as 20 or 22 travels for the bead setting step should be longer than the distance traveled to force over the turn up bladder. Differentiating these movements is found to increase the life of the turn up bladders. This is particularly advantageous in smaller machines.

As seen in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 each carriage is provided with a pair of mounting sleeves 21 welded or otherwise secured to its periphery. Sleeves 21 are in turn pinned or otherwise secured to the ends of the axially reciprocable guide rods 14 in each housing 6 and 8. As explained previously, the guide rods 14 move in response to the stroke of the piston rod 61. Thus, the travel of each carriage 20 and 22 and guide rods 14 may be limited by limiting the stroke of piston rod 61.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, each threaded piston rod 61 has a striker cap 62 secured to the end thereof. Axially spaced a predetermined distance from piston rod 61 and striker cap 62 is a striker bar or plate 69. Striker bar 69 is of variable cross section to provide a forward surface portion 69' which allows clearance for a longer piston stroke and a rearward surface portion 69" which permits a shorter piston stroke. The plate 69 is attached to the end of a piston rod 81 which reciprocates within another cylinder 80 provided with an actuatable piston (not shown). The plate 69 is mounted to slide along bracket 66, so that surface 69" is used to stop the stroke of piston rod 61 during tumup. Thus, during each head setting stroke surface 69' allows clearance for striker cap 62 and during each bladder tum-over stroke surface 69" is hit by striker cap 62.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show more of the structural details of the divisible building drum 30, right and left-hand turn ups 32 and 34 and right and left-hand carriages 20 and 22 to which the preceding discussion has frequently referred. FIG. 8 shows cipal carriage ring 23 with a bead alignment ring 24 secured to the front portion thereof. Bolted or otherwise secured to bead alignment ring 24 is a bead carrier ring 26, the radially interior edges thereof being provided with a short protruding annular flange 28. Bolted or otherwise secured to the radially inner surface or bead carrier ring 26 is a bead setter ring 29 designed to hold an inextensible bead ring assembly for a pneumatic tire.

Right and left-hand turn ups 32 and 34 are of identical design and each include a specially designed bag carrier 35 having an integral collar 36 at the end thereof. An opening is provided through each carrier 35 for passage therethrough of an air pipe 72 to be explained hereinafter. An annular bladder support 37 and clamp ring 38 is secured to the front face of each carrier 35. Identical, specially formed bags or bladders 39 are mounted on the outer surface of each carrier 35. Each bladder 39 has one end held between clamp ring 38 and bladder support 37 and the other end held between bladder support 37 and the front portion of carrier member 35. Each bladder support 37 is provided with an opening 46 which registers with pipe 72 to pass inflating air to the interior of each carriages, turn ups and drum combined or connected for a building operation.

The annular carriages 20 and 22 are supported by housings 6 and 8 coaxially of right and left hand drum shafts 11 and 13 respectively. Each carriage includes an annular, main or prinbladder 39.

The divisible building drum 30,'as indicated previously, is a composite of two independent drums. Thus, drum 30 includes a right-hand drum shell 31 and a left hand drum shell 33. Each shell 31 and 33, respectively, is provided with a pair of flanges 91 and 92 extending from its outer surface to define an annular compartment 93. Within each compartment 93 is an annular, tubular, elastomeric bag 47. The tubular bags 47 are of a diameter such that they tightly fit within each compartment 93. It should be noted that annular flange 91 on each drum shell is removable secured thereto, thereby facilitating removal of the tightly fitted bags 47 when required. Annular flanges 92 are integral with the respective shells 31 and 33. A series of narrow, axially extending, metal, surface segments 48 extend the length of each of drums 31 and 33. The surface segments 48 are biased radially inwardly against flanges 91 and 92 by circular springs 49 disposed within each pair of hooklike ends 58 provided at the axial ends of segments 48. Each expander bag 47 is provided with an air stem 59 which cooperates with an air chamber 72 within each drum shell 31 and 33. Recalling that the drum shafts 11 and 13 are hollow, and therefore, provide a cylindrical air passage therethrough, each expander bag 47 is therefore inflated by air entering the bags through stem 59, which has passed through each drum shaft.

As shown in FIG. 8, the drum shells 31 and 33 are secured to their respectively adjacent turn ups 32 and 34 by means of a threaded bolt 71 registering through each carrier 35 and the shell adjacent thereto. Thus, drum shell 31 and its adjacent turn up 32 can be mounted and removed as a unit from shaft 11, while drum shell 33 and its adjacent turn up 34 can be mounted and removed from drum shaft 13 as a unit. However, it is not necessary that the drums and adjacent turn ups be secured to each other. Attaching these members in this way is to assure that relative rotation between the shells and the bladder supports will not occur. To effect rotation of each of these combined units with their respective shafts 11 and 13, collar member 36 at the end of each carrier 35 is adapted to be tightened down onto its supporting shaft. For example, each collar 36 may be split in a radial direction (not shown) and provided with a tightening screw or similar means (not shown) which will force the split portions together for securing each unit on its shaft.

Right-hand drum shell 31 and left hand drum shell 33 are connected at their axially outer ends to form the composite divisible tire-building drum 30 of predetermined set mentioned heretofore. A suitable means for attaching drum 31 to drum 33 can be a drive coupling such as 75 having a righthand portion 76 and a left-hand portion 77 attached to the end of right-hand shell 31 and the end of left-hand shell 33, respectively. While the particular coupling shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has been found highly suitable for connecting the respectively right and left-hand drums, it is understood any other suitable connector or coupler may be used for this purpose. As seen in FIG. 9, the right hand portion 76 of coupling 75 is provided with a central recess 78 and a series of radially extending, annularly spaced lugs 79. The left hand portion 77 of coupling 75 is provided with a central pin 74 and annularly spaced lugs 73 similar to lugs 79. Pin 74 is adapted to register into opening 78 allowing lugs 73 to interrnesh with lugs 79. Thus, when the drum shells 31 and 33 are connected as shown in FIG. 8, driving one of shafts l1 and 13 will cause the composite drum 30 and turn ups 32 and 34 to rotate as a unit.

As mentioned briefly above, the inflatable turn up bladders 39 for each turn up 32 and 34 are identically constructed of a selected elastomeric material. The bladders of course, are made impervious to air and in many cases include cord reinforcement (not shown). Each bladder 39 is shaped and cured in a suitable vulcanizing mold. In other words, a turn up bladder such as 39 in FIG. 8 is shaped to include an exterior wall portion 94 extending substantially the entire width of the bladder, a short interior wall portion 95 and a longer interior wall portion 96,. these interior wall portions terminating in a pair of inextensible portions 97. It is these inextensible portions 97 which are held between clamp ring 38, bladder support 37 and the forward portion of carrier 35 to properly hold the bladder 39 to carrier 35. The expansion characteristics of 'each bladder are determined by the particular elastomeric material used, the contour of the bladder itself and the disposition of the cord reinforcement if used.

Since the bladders 39 as far as their specific construction form no part of the instant invention, more discussion would be superflous at this point. A more detailed discussion of the expansion, construction and contour characteristics of a typical turn up bladder, such as 39, can be found in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,171,769.

FIG. shows the tire building drum 30 modified to an increased set from that shown in FIG. 8. Here turn ups 32 and 34 remain the same as in FIG. 8. Also, left-hand drum shell 33 with its associated structure is essentially the same as in FIG. 8. However, right-hand drumshell 31' is longer than drum 31 in FIG. 8 thereby increasing the over all length or set of building drum 30. Since many of the elementary details of the structure shown in FIG. 10 are essentially similar to those previously described in connection with FIG. 8, any further part by part discussion of FIG. 10 is considered unnecessary. It should be noted that when it is found desirable to go to a longer drum such as shown in FIG. 10, two expansible bags such as 47 may be required on the periphery of shell 31' in order to provide uniform expansion to longer surface segments 48'.

As discussed previously, drum shells 31 and 33 are secured to their respectively adjacent turn ups 32 and 34 by bolts 71. When changing the drum set, either the drum shell alone is replaced by loosening the appropriate bolts 71 and removing the shell, or the unit itself is removed by loosening collar 36. In the latter case, the set of the building drum is changed by replacing an entire right or left-hand unit with a new unit having a drum shell of different length secured to a new turn up identical to that replaced. In other words, building drum set may be changed by interchanging drum shells only or drum and turn up units, whichever is found most expedient.

It is understood that increasing the building drum set is not limited to the manner illustrated in FIG. 10. Set may be changed by interchanging either drum shell 31 or drum shell 33 in FIG. 8. It should be further understoodthat both drum shells 31 and 33 may be replaced by shells of different length.

When changing the drum set such as suggested in the modification shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to make other adjustments. Unless the right-hand and left hand drums 31 and 33 are of equal length, the centerline of the drum is not necessarily the line, of division between the right and left-hand drums. In other words, when replacing one of the drums 31 and 33 as seen in FIG. 8 by a drum of greater or lesser length, it becomes necessary to loosen the collar 36 of the drum such that the centerline of the building surface of composite drum 30 falls midway between housings 6 and 8. After this shift, the annular bead carriages 20 and 22 will be at respectively different distances relative to the shoulders of composite drum 30. Since it is preferred that the bead setting strokes and turn over strokes of both annular carriages 20 and 22 are equal as mentioned previously, it is necessary that adjustment screws 70 in each housing be utilized to shifl the entire supporting structure for each of annular carriages 20 and 22 relative to its support housing. Thus, no matter what the drum set becomes, annular carriages 20 and 22 are adjusted so that their axial movement is the same.

Because of coupling 75, a positive rotation of only one of the dual shaft combinations is required. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the right-hand dual shaft (i.e., outer shaft 16 and inner shaft 11) may be driven by a suitable power source (not shown) through a conventional belt and pulley wheel combination, indicated generally as 90. Thus, right hand drum shell 31 as seen in FIG. 8 isdriven, thereby driving left-hand drum shell 33 through coupling 75. It is understood that, in the alternative, left-hand drum shell 33 may be positively driven, with right-hand shell 33 being rotated by means of coupling 75.

C. Air System It is evident from the foregoing references thereto, that the actuating medium contemplated for the machine according to its preferred embodiment is air. Air under pressure may be supplied to the machine from any suitable source and in any suitable manner desired. The specific mode or manner in handling and routing the air to its required locations within the machine which is shown and is to be described herein, is only a suggested mode found presently suitable, particularly in smaller machineselt is, therefore, understood that other air systems than that disclosed herein may be designed which are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.

It is preferred that the air to the several pneumatic cylinders be controlled by solenoid actuated valves, with energization of the several solenoids being controlled by an appropriate timer mechanism or by the operator. None of the wiring, solenoids or conduits carrying air to the several cylinders are shown since these are conventional in design. It is significant, however, to note that because of the provision of two support housings, such as 6 or 8, that the several actuating cylinders are arranged symmetrically about the tire building drum eliminating need for special pressure and conduit systems to produce equal efi'ect around the drum, as has heretofore been necessary. Each housing carries a cylinder 60 for actuating an annular bead carriage as well as a cylinder for moving a striker plate or bar 69. Each housing may carry a cylinder 50 for shifting the housing relative to the other housing, although only one such cylinder 50 is shown carried by housing 8.

Air under pressure for inflating the turn up bladders 39 and the expander tubes 47 is conveniently introduced at each end of the respective dual shaft combinations beyond the ends of housings 6 and 8. The introduction of air is illustrated in FIG. 4 at the right hand section of the machine only, it being understood that similar introduction of air also occurs at the lefthand section although not specifically shown.

In FIG. 4, two hoses 88 and 89 are shown leading to cylindrical compartment 98 and 99 respectively at the end of the right-hand dual shaft consisting of outer machine shaft 16 and inner drum shaft 11. The compartments 98 and 99 will not rotate with shafts l6 and 1 1, allowing inlet hoses 88 and 89 to be stationary. Air entering inlet 88 is isolated from air entering inlet 89 by the separate compartments 98 and 99, and both volumes of air enter a rotary dual compartment chamber 100. From the dual compartment chamber 100, the divided volumes of air enter separately into each of the two air passages defined by the dual hollow shafts 16 and 11. The interior details of chambers 98, 99 and 100 are not shown. The three chambers collectively represent a commercially available unit sometimes called a rotary pressure joint, specifically designed for the purpose of transferring a fluid from a static state to a rotary state. Since these units are well known and commercially available, further details thereof are considered unnecessary. Thus, air flows toward the front of each machine housing 6 and 8 through chambers and 17 (see FIG. 7) defined by the respective dual shafts mounted in each.

Due to spatial requirements the respective main shafts 18 in left-hand housing 8, and 16 in right-hand housing 6, terminate adjacent the bearing 9 in the front of each housing. The air in the respective outer passages 16 is passed through a gland 87 into a simple straight tubular pipe member 72 which extends into each turn up bladder carrier 35.

It is not absolutely necessary that the air enter each end of the machine through two inlets. In other words, one inlet may be provided at each end with a specifically designed rotary pressure joint dividing the air after introduction into the ends of the shafts.

Also, in some larger machines the outer main shafts used need not terminate short of the respective turn ups but can be extended beyond bearings 9 to terminate within the bladder carriers 35, omitting the need for pipes 72.

D. Operation A typical tire-building operation will now be described utilizing the tire-building machine according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 10. First, the machine will be assumed to be a 4 inch machine, i.e., a machine used to build a tire having a bead diameter of 4 inches (a popular industrial tire size). The building drum set will be that illustrated in FIG. 8. Second, it will be assumed that after building a tire using the assembly of FIG. 8, the set is to be changed to that shown in FIG. 10.

The operator stands facing the machine as it is shown in FIG. 1. A control panel P, to the operators right, is within easy access. The left-hand housing is in its building position with the turn ups 32 and 34 and building drum 30 being formed by engagement of right-hand shell.3l with left-hand shell 33 through coupling 75 as seen in FIG. 8. Scales 7, one on each housing indicate the drum set for the ensuing building operation. The scale indicators move in response to movement of adjustment screws 70. Thus, turning each adjustment screw 70 to the extent where each scale 7 indicates the proper set, will properly position the annular carriages 20 and 22 relative to the divisible building drum 30. Before the operator begins the building, composite drum 30 and the respective turn ups 32 and 34 are in position as seen in FIG. 8. The operator applies the required components to build up the carcass portion of the tire. The drum 30 is expanded by air passing through respective drum shafts 11 and 13. Air in chamber 15 to turn ups 32 and 34 is closed off by a solenoid actuating valve controlled by the operator. At this point, the left hand portion of the machine appears as exemplified in FIG. 11. As seen in FIG. 11, air has passed through shaft 13, stem 59 and entered expander tube 47 to fully expand same. The same action has occurred at the right-hand side of the drum 30. The expansion of tube 47 has caused the segments 48 to move radially outwardly to the extent where hook ends 58 engage flange 92 of left-hand shell 33. Again, the righthand shell 31 is identically extended thus forming a fully expanded surface of the composite drum 30. The carcass portion 82 of the tire is shown with its edges 83 overhanging the ends of the drum and resting upon the outer surface of each bladder 39.

The bead ring assemblies 84 of the tire which have been previously placed in carriages 20 and 22 when in position shown in FIG. 11, are then brought forward for positioning against the shoulder of the drum. This is exemplified in FIG. 12. The operator energizes a solenoid controlling the actuation of each cylinder 60, which slides guide rods 14 forward (see FIG. 3 for example). This action brings carriages 20 and 22 to the position indicated in FIG. 12, showing carriage 22 only. The carriages then are returned to their original position.

The operator actuates cylinder 60 once again to return the carriages 20 and 22 toward the drum. This second actuation of cylinder 60, however, is accompanied with actuation of cylinders which causes plates 69 to slide causing caps 62 to strike surfaces 69", rather than advancing further as in the bead setting step. This results in carriages 20 and 22 moving a lesser axial distance than that moved in the bead setting stroke. This step is illustrated in FIG. 14. The protruding flanges 28 on carriage 22 is seen engaging bladder 39 to complete the turn over of ply edges onto drum 30 thereby encapsulating the bead ring assemblies 84. Inflation air is forced back through pipe 72 from the bladder.

Carriages 20 and 22 then retract and bladder 39 deflates as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

The tread stock is then applied to complete the tire assembly, such as seen in FIG. 17, and the stitcher mechanism is actuated (not shown) to stitch down the several components of the tire.

To remove the tire, rotation of the drum is stopped and the expander tube 47 on the left hand shell 33 defiates causing the segments 48 to retract due to the force of springs 49. This step in the operation is seen in FIG. 18.

After retraction of the left-hand portion of building drum 30, cylinder 50 is utilized to shift the housing 8 to the left, pulling left-hand drum shell 33 away from right-hand shell 31. This is shown in FIG. 19. The completed tire 86 is then pulled from shell 31, after its expander tube 47 is deflated.

To change to the increased set of FIG. 10, collar 36 on right-hand carrier 35, as seen in FIG. 8, is loosened and the entire right unit consisting of shell 31 and turn up 32 is removed. A longer unit, i.e., a shell 31 with two tubes 47 and longer segments 48, and an identical turn up 32 is slid onto shaft 11. Left-hand housing is then moved inwardly towards shell 31. After coupling 75 is made, both collars 36 at each end of the machine are loosened and the assembly is axially adjusted on the drum shafts so that the centerline of drum 30 is midway between housings 6 and 8. Adjustment screws 70 on each housing 6 and 8 are turned until the indicator scales 7 point to the new drum set resulting from replacement by the new right hand unit. The collars 36 are tightened and building of the next tire on the longer drum proceeds as described heretofore.

From the foregoing discussion, it is evident that the machine according to the present invention offers several advantages over the contemporary building machines utilizing one drum shaft supported by a single housing. While many features of the machine are described herein as they related to a preferred embodiment, it is understood, of course, that numerous modifications or alterations may be made in connection with such a preferred embodiment without departing. from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A tire-building machine comprising a first housing, a second housing spaced from said first housing, one of said housings adapted to be moved relative to the other, a first shaft supported in cantilevered fashion by and extending horizontally from said first housing toward said second housing, a second shaft supported in cantilevered fashion by and extending from said second housing toward said first housing, said first and second cantilevered shafts defining a common rotational axis, a first drum having a radially expansible, cylindrical outer surface of a selected axial length mounted at the free end of said first cantilevered shaft for rotation about said axis, a second drum having a radially expansible, cylindrical outer surface of a selected axial length mounted at the free end of said second cantilevered shaft for rotation about said axis, and means detachably securing the outermost axial end of said first drum into contiguous engagement with the outermost axial end of said second drum such that said cylindrical outer surfaces thereof form a divisible, cylindrical, rotatable tire building surface of predetermined axial length and means to expand each of said outer surfaces of said first and second drums independently of the other.

2. The machine defined in claim 1 wherein the selected axial lengths of each of the outer surfaces of said first and second drums are substantially equal.

3. The machine defined in claim 1 wherein the axial length of one of said outer surfaces of first and second drums is greater than the other.

4. The machine defined in claim 1 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted on each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each of said first and second drums.

5. The machine defined in claim 2 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted on each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each said first and second drums.

6. The machine defined in claim 3 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted in each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each of said first and second drums. I

7. The machine defined in claim 1 further. comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted on each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each of said first and second drums.

8. The machine defined in claim 3 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted on each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each of said first and second drums.

9. The machine defined in claim 7, further comprising an annular, axially movable, bead ring carriage mounted on each of said first and second housing, coaxially of said first and second shafts, each of said carriages being positioned respectively between a housing and a ply turn up bladder and adapted to A. move axially outwardly a predetermined distance to set bead rings at the shoulders of each of said first and second drums when said outer surfaces thereof are expanded,

B. return to allow inflation of said ply turn up bladder,

C. move axially outwardly a distance less than that moved in A) to engage said inflated ply turn up bladder and thereby turn said ply turn up bladder over onto the outer surfaces of each of said first and second drums, and

D. return to allow deflation of said ply turn up bladder.

10. The machine defined in claim 8 further comprising an annular, axially movable, bead ring carriage mounted on each of said first and second housings, coaxially of said first and second shafts, each of said bead ring carriages being positioned respectively between a housing and a ply turn up bladder and adapted to A. move axially outwardly to set bead-rings at the shoulders of each of said first and second drums when said outer surfaces thereof are expanded,

B. return to allow inflation of said ply turn up bladder,

C. move axially outwardly to engage said inflatable ply turn up bladder and thereby turn said ply turn up bladder over onto the outer surfaces of each of said first and second drums, and

D. return to allow deflation of said ply turn up bladder. 

1. A tire-building machine comprising a first housing, a second housing spaced from said first housing, one of said housings adapted to be moved relative to the other, a first shaft supported in cantilevered fashion by and extending horizontally from said first housing toward said second housing, a second shaft supported in cantilevered fashion by and extending from said second housing toward said first housing, said first and second cantilevered shafts defining a common rotational axis, a first drum having a radially expansible, cylindrical outer surface of a selected axial length mounted at the free end of said first cantilevered shaft for rotation about said axis, a second drum having a radially expansible, cylindrical outer surface of a selected axial length mounted at the free end of said second cantilevered shaft for rotation about said axis, and means detachably securing the outermost axial end of said first drum into contiguous engagement with the outermost axial end of said second drum such that said cylindrical outer surfaces thereof form a divisible, cylindrical, rotatable tire building surface of predetermined axial length and means to expand each of said outer surfaces of said first and second drums independently of the other.
 2. The machine defined in claim 1 wherein the selected axIal lengths of each of the outer surfaces of said first and second drums are substantially equal.
 3. The machine defined in claim 1 wherein the axial length of one of said outer surfaces of first and second drums is greater than the other.
 4. The machine defined in claim 1 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted on each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each of said first and second drums.
 5. The machine defined in claim 2 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted on each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each said first and second drums.
 6. The machine defined in claim 3 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted in each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each of said first and second drums.
 7. The machine defined in claim 1 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted on each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each of said first and second drums.
 8. The machine defined in claim 3 further comprising an annular, inflatable, ply turn up bladder mounted on each of said first and second shafts adjacent the inner axial ends of each of said first and second drums.
 9. The machine defined in claim 7, further comprising an annular, axially movable, bead ring carriage mounted on each of said first and second housing, coaxially of said first and second shafts, each of said carriages being positioned respectively between a housing and a ply turn up bladder and adapted to A. move axially outwardly a predetermined distance to set bead rings at the shoulders of each of said first and second drums when said outer surfaces thereof are expanded, B. return to allow inflation of said ply turn up bladder, C. move axially outwardly a distance less than that moved in A) to engage said inflated ply turn up bladder and thereby turn said ply turn up bladder over onto the outer surfaces of each of said first and second drums, and D. return to allow deflation of said ply turn up bladder.
 10. The machine defined in claim 8 further comprising an annular, axially movable, bead ring carriage mounted on each of said first and second housings, coaxially of said first and second shafts, each of said bead ring carriages being positioned respectively between a housing and a ply turn up bladder and adapted to A. move axially outwardly to set bead rings at the shoulders of each of said first and second drums when said outer surfaces thereof are expanded, B. return to allow inflation of said ply turn up bladder, C. move axially outwardly to engage said inflatable ply turn up bladder and thereby turn said ply turn up bladder over onto the outer surfaces of each of said first and second drums, and D. return to allow deflation of said ply turn up bladder. 